Amherst Voices

 The brain is wider than the sky. 

The fifth annual Amherst Poetry Festival and Emily Dickinson Poetry Marathon takes place Sept. 14-17. On Friday, poets will read in Bassett Planetarium as the starscapes of the evening of Emily Dickinson’s birth and death are projected. On Saturday, fans will read all 1,789 of Emily Dickinson’s poems at the Emily Dickinson Museum.

Update on Title IX Announcement

Sept. 23, 2017: On Friday, Sept. 22, 2017, the U.S. Department of Education announced that it was rescinding the 2011 and 2014 guidance on implementing Title IX law on sexual misconduct. The Department issued new interim guidance in advance of the notice and comment period that will lead to new guidance for educational institutions about our responsibilities.

Support for Community Members Affected by Natural Disasters

Sept. 22, 2017: The ravaging hurricanes in Texas, Florida, Puerto Rico, other Caribbean islands and U.S. states and devastating earthquakes in Mexico over the past few weeks have wreaked havoc on the lives of millions of people. They follow catastrophic natural disasters in many other parts of the world in 2017. Members of the Amherst community have been affected directly and indirectly. On behalf of our community, I extend deep sympathies to all the many people who have felt the impact of these disasters—including injury and death, loss of loved ones, loss of homes and belongings, and absence of the most basic resources and infrastructure. [continue reading]

The Liberal Arts

A liberal-arts education develops an individual’s potential for understanding possibilities, perceiving consequences, creating novel connections and making life-altering choices. It fosters innovative and critical thinking as well as strong writing and speaking skills. The liberal arts prepare students for many possible careers, meaningful lives and service to society.

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Latest Videos

September 20, 2017

As part of our on-going Alumni in the Field series, where alumni reflect on their career paths and how their Amherst experience shaped their lives, Catherine Brownstein ’97 discusses how her liberal arts education at Amherst College prepared her for a profession that didn't even exist when she started her undergraduate journey. [Video transcript]

September 12, 2017

We sat down with William Taubman, the Bertrand Snell Professor of Political Science, Emeritus, and Pulitzer Prize Winner, to discuss his newly released book, Gorbachev: His Life and Times. On Sept. 14, Taubman and Pavel Machala read from the book in Cole Assembly Room, followed by a reception and book signing. Learn more

September 12, 2017

The 489 newest Amherst students arrived on campus Aug. 29, many with families in tow. These first-year and transfer students graduated from 388 secondary schools and speak more than 45 languages. Orientation began with move-in and concluded with Opening Convocation. In between, the students attended a welcome reception with Amherst President Biddy Martin, met with academic advisers, took part in numerous social gatherings and bonded during off-campus expeditions.

August 11, 2017

Amherst’s new science center is scheduled to open in the fall of 2018. The state-of-the-art building will be a home for teaching and research and offer additional classrooms and gathering spaces for the entire campus. The science center also will set a new standard in energy efficiency. The average science building uses 250 kilo BTUs per square foot per year; we intend to reduce that number by 73%.

May 23, 2017

April 25, 2017

Andrew Dole, associate professor of religion, talks about using virtual reality to enhance academic focus. New virtual worlds can help solve ergonomic issues as well as eliminate distracting environments as viewers move through a range of digital spaces created for this project: a dim, but cozy library room where the user reads next to a crackling fire, the porch of a remote cabin where the sun is shining off a peaceful lake, and a black space lit only by softly flickering red candles. [video transcript]

April 10, 2017

In an interview with Cornell William Brooks, President and CEO of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, we had an opportunity to ask him the following questions: What is the NAACP’s most important role today? What are other pressing issues for the NAACP? What are the most effective ways for young people to get involved? What advice do you have for students who want to follow your career path? — Video by Marcus DeMaio.

April 3, 2017

On October 24, 2016, Amherst College launched a process to select an official mascot. After 2,046 suggestions and 9,295 votes, we are the Amherst College Mammoths. You thought they were extinct? Think again. (Images courtesy of Amherst’s Beneski Museum of Natural History.) Audio caption version

April 3, 2017

Amherst didn’t have a department of Jewish studies, or even a class on Judaism, so Peter Rubinstein ’64 took a theology class with Professor Pemberton instead. And he was hooked. Hear about Rabbi Rubinstein’s remarkable career path and the lessons he learned along the way. — Video by Marcus DeMaio.

March 27, 2017

National Review editor Rich Lowry is the author of the New York Times best-seller Lincoln Unbound and Legacy: Paying the Price for the Clinton Years. Lowry is also a syndicated columnist, author and political commentator who writes for Politico and Time, and often appears on such public affairs programs as “Meet the Press” and “The McLaughlin Group.” Before his talk at Amherst College on March 8, 2017, he sat down with us for an informal interview. — Video by Marcus DeMaio.

February 21, 2017

The Common, an award-winning literary magazine based at the College, mentors 12 students each year as part of the Literary Publishing Internship Program. Participating students are involved in all aspects of publishing and promoting new issues of The Common, and have opportunities to work with emerging and established writers from around the world. — Video by Marcus DeMaio.

February 6, 2017

Before former Florida governor and presidential candidate Jeb Bush addressed a capacity crowd in Johnson Chapel, we sat down and asked him a few questions about how he became involved in politics, how we as a country can have shared values if we don't have shared facts, and any advice for students interested in a career in government. — Video by Marcus DeMaio.

January 31, 2017

Before her presentation and discussion in Johnson Chapel, we asked Russian-American journalist, author and activist Masha Gessen some questions, including what journalists should focus on over the next four years, what's next for the LGBTQ rights movement, and what advice she has for aspiring journalist. Here's what she had to say. — Video by Marcus DeMaio.

November 21, 2016

Amherst Alumni in the Field: Join us behind the scenes of Sidehill Farm and learn what led two members of the class of ’89 —Amy Klippenstein and Paul Lacinski — from their liberal arts roots (English and American studies respectively) to becoming owners of a 225 acre organic farm located in Ashfield, MA. —Video by Marcus DeMaio.

October 11, 2016

Watch a time-lapse video of the Greenway Residence Halls being constructed, taken from live webcam images. In the words of President Biddy Martin, “The new residence halls will offer more are than just a place to live, but the chance for students to create the community they desire.” — Video by Marcus DeMaio.

September 27, 2016

Meet Mead director and chief curator David Little and learn about the resources and opportunities available at Amherst’s celebrated art museum. Through its exhibitions, artist projects and class visits, the Mead offers students and faculty a variety of ways to engage in interdisciplinary research and innovative teaching involving original works of art. — Video by Marcus DeMaio.

August 9, 2016

Gathering Spaces: Follow along as two of our students—Takudzwa Tapfuma ’17 and David Le ’17E—take a tour of the new residence halls, set to open on August 25. Check out our latest slideshow and learn more about the Greenway Residence Hall project. — Video by Marcus DeMaio.

Distinctive Courses

Protest!

Description

Explore the ethnography and history of collective mobilizations; contemplate the future of protest for the U.S. and the world. Speak with organizers/participants of current uprisings to understand their concerns.

Contagion

Description

Explore the biological mechanisms of infectious diseases, and the challenges associated with fighting their emergence and spread. Draw on literature on microbiology, ethics, current news stories, and more.

Indigenous American Epics

Description

Delve deeply into Native epics as “ancient American” literature, narratives of tribal history and living political constitutions. Study the specific contexts of each and the “intellectual trade routes” that link them together.